Day honoring Dr. Hector Garcia on fast track

Garcia’s day of honor is proposed for the third Wednesday in September.

CORPUS CHRISTI - A Senate committee on Tuesday put a day to honor Dr. Hector P. Garcia on an expedited course to passage.

Senate Bill 495 sets aside the third Wednesday in September, Hispanic Heritage Month, as a day to remember the civil rights leader.

The bill encourages activities and ceremonies from public agencies and schools relevant to Garcia’s efforts and the civil rights movement, but would not result in time off for the state’s workforce.

Community leaders and Garcia’s family have been working on the bill since November, educating the Legislature about why Texas needs to honor the late civil rights legend.

“He’s been forgotten in history,” said Garcia’s daughter, Cecilia Garcia Akers. “We are going to continue until he gets the level of recognition that he deserves.”

The bill was moved Tuesday to the local and uncontested calendar by the Senate Administration Committee. That puts it on a fast-track for consideration because no opposition and little debate is expected.

The bill is set for a vote April 23, said Luis Moreno, legislative assistant for state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who authored the Senate version of the bill.

In the House, the bill passed committee and moves on to the House’s normal calendar.

“We have to make sure (the bill) gets scheduled for a vote,” Akers said.

Garcia created the American GI Forum in 1948 and fought for the rights of area Hispanics and veterans denied educational, medical and housing benefits. He also served as an adviser to three U.S. presidents and was the first Hispanic on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

“We have to make sure his legacy is preserved,” Akers said. “We have a ways to go, but I’m very optimistic and happy that we’ve gotten it this far. It’s a huge step forward.”